Ye Olde 4001

[gray]

Just got it (77 4001) back from its most recent setup for TI Jazz flats, and I must say, I LOVE the sound. Plus, I feel like I get some serious bite out of these things, a lot more than I expected. However, the action is still a little too low for the slightly floppier strings (the bridge has been lowered very considerably; it was almost all the way up before), so I guess I'm seeking a little bit of advice here, again.
I'm wondering about how other Jazz flats users have theirs set up heightwise/actionwise, and how people feel about the "neck dead straight" deal.
Also, I am considering various mods/upgrades/replacements, such as:
VTC mod
New foam mute (old one has the approximate consistency of 2 week-old angel food cake); I'm curious to know what using the foam mute with the TI jazz flats is like
Toaster at the neck

I'll note here that this bass is NOT a pristine collector's item, even if it is mostly original. It has dents, dings and all kinds of things, so I'm not overly concerned about the resale value. I've considered having it refin'd/restored.

A big, hearty thank you to all for your help and input!

[VRICKY63]

I had Fender flats on my 77 . Worked great with very little relief at the 7th fret . About 1/2mm . I would set string height just high enough to get a good clean sound .

[ilan]

I had TI JF344 and now JR344 (same string pull, same setup) on my '73 and I set the neck dead straight and the action very low. I've played 045 sets for a few years and went back to light gauge 040-095 with low action on almost all my basses.

I love the neck toaster. I almost always solo the neck pickup when I play. It brings me closer to my favorite Ric bass tone - the one Roger Glover got on Pictures of Home (Machine Head).

[jps]

I recently put TI JRs on my July '73 4001 and I had to raise the action somewhat to get rid of too much fret noise. I may lower it and try to play with a lighter touch as in the end I think the action is too high right now. I would assume the same would go for the TI JFs. A bit of relief may be neccesary as the lower tension strings 'swing' more (greater amplitude of motion) that higher tension strings when plucked.

Regarding refinishing the bass, most old instruments will have their share of battle scars, that is part of what gives them 'the mojo'. If it is really horrible go ahead and get it refinished, but if not, I would not touch the finish.

Add the toaster, you will be glad you did.

[gray]

I recently put TI JRs on my July '73 4001 and I had to raise the action somewhat to get rid of too much fret noise. I may lower it and try to play with a lighter touch as in the end I think the action is too high right now. I would assume the same would go for the TI JFs. A bit of relief may be neccesary as the lower tension strings 'swing' more (greater amplitude of motion) that higher tension strings when plucked.

Regarding refinishing the bass, most old instruments will have their share of battle scars, that is part of what gives them 'the mojo'. If it is really horrible go ahead and get it refinished, but if not, I would not touch the finish.

Add the toaster, you will be glad you did.

That's what I'm thinking, too. It does seem to be rather the same for the flatwounds, as that is what I am experiencing as well. In addition to raising the bridge a hair, it may need a wee bit of neck relief as well.

As for the refin deal, it's something I haven't ruled out, just because it so beat-looking. However, it does have mojo for sure. It's just something that pops into my head from time to time. I go through phases where I think "I'll NEVER refin this thing!" and then "Maybe I should refin this thing".

I really want a toaster! But I'm just nervous about replacing parts that are in the chain of electronic events in the bass. I really shouldn't be. I would never put a toaster in my 07 4003, but this bass just seems to say "toaster... toaster... toaster...."

[jps]

Why wouldn't you put a toaster in your '07 4003? it just might give you a tone you didn't think you could get otherwise. Replacing the neck high-gain is simple, really, with just basic soldering skills required. If you do not know how to solder, someone you know probably does.

[gray]

Why wouldn't you put a toaster in your '07 4003? it just might give you a tone you didn't think you could get otherwise. Replacing the neck high-gain is simple, really, with just basic soldering skills required. If you do not know how to solder, someone you know probably does.

Well, I thought about it, and I almost did it. In fact, that was my original intention when I bought the bass. But, I really just feel like the hi-gain is better for the band I'm in. However, as with all my opinions, that's liable to change in the future as I experience more and more things. I guess it would be more accurate to say that for now I will most likely keep the 4003 stock.
Now, the 4001, on the other hand, I am thinking does have a toaster in its future.
I actually might get two toasters just in case!

[johnallg]

As Jeff said, once the pickguard is up, replacing the pickup is just unsoldering 2 wires (pup lead is center wire and a shield), and then resoldering the lead from the toaster just like/where the high gain lead was. Then 2 screws to mount it to the pickguard. Piece of cake!

I would toaster the 4001, keep the 4003 stock for a difference in tone. As you say, the band you're in now needs the high gains. Variety!

[gray]

Or would it be... a piece of... toast?

Thanks for all the help and input, guys!

[johnallg]

Your right, Robert! I blew it!

[gray]

Oh, I love a corny joke! What did one flag say to the other? Nothing, it just waved.

Don't get me started on puns, either.



Aside from that, I got Ye Olde 4001 all set up properly today (Wade's, of course- nailed it once again ) and this bass with these strings on it is GREAT! I cranked up the gain on my Ampeg B100R and it sounds fantastic! Now all I have to do is wait for the toaster, which has been ordered. For me, it's just like Christmas! I think this series of events will be the best things that have happened to this bass in a very long time.

[johnallg]

Ain't it great! Just wait for the toaster! When it comes and is installed, have it up as high as the pickguard allows, then balance the two pickups for the tone you want by adjusting the bridge up/down in height. If you have the cap inline with the bridge pup, have both volume controls wide open. If you have the cap out, you will get a bit more output and growl with one pup volume slightly down - adjust to the sound (tone) you want. Then set the bridge height.

[gray]

I'm probably going to leave the cap in for now, although I was thinking about doing the VTC mod to the bass as well, and I'm going to assume that in order to do the VTC mod you have to take the cap off. I've also heard you have to shave some off the PG to do that to 4001's sometimes, but the PG isn't original and already has a big hole drilled in it, so I don't care about that. If I don't do the VTC I'll probably just leave it stock for now, although perhaps not. I guess we'll see what happens when the toaster goes in! Should be here in a week.

[VRICKY63]

All this TI talk inspired me to put some Ti flats on the V63 . Nice thing about having a Hipshot bridge is .....I made a foam mute and can adjust the saddles to have perfect intonation instead of being so sharp as with the RIC bridge . What a great muted 60s thump !

[johnallg]

I'm probably going to leave the cap in for now, although I was thinking about doing the VTC mod to the bass as well, and I'm going to assume that in order to do the VTC mod you have to take the cap off. I've also heard you have to shave some off the PG to do that to 4001's sometimes, but the PG isn't original and already has a big hole drilled in it, so I don't care about that. If I don't do the VTC I'll probably just leave it stock for now, although perhaps not. I guess we'll see what happens when the toaster goes in! Should be here in a week.

To see if you will like it with the cap out, pull up the pickguard, find the .oo47uF cap from the side of the pickup switch that goes to the bridge pup volume pot, and take a bare wire and wrap it around the wire at one end of the cap and then the wire out the other end of the cap, shorting it out. Wrap the wire tight to the cap wires. This is what the pickup will sound like full out. If you like it, consider the VTC mod.

The mod consists of changing the tone pot for the bridge pickup to one that also has a switch in it. You wire the switch like you did the wire above I just described, so the switch contacts can open or close the wire, taking the cap in or out of the path. I will add my pictoral drawing.

You can get the pot/switch from the RIC boutique - you will not need the capacitor as it is already in your bass. You will need a couple short hookup wires to go from the switch to the sides of the cap.